1960 Lancia Flaminia

Lancia built their flagship Flaminia from 1957 to 1970 and served as a replacement for the Aurelia. Body styles throughout its lifespan included a coupe, cabriolet, and saloon. The convertible and coupe were coach built by several Italian coachbuilders. During its 13-year production lifespan, a total of 12,633 examples were built. The name Flaminia was for Via Flaminia, the road leading from Rome to Ariminum.

The Flaminia used a modified version of the Aurelia chassis with the front suspension consisting of double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and an anti-roll bar. The rear suspension retained the Aurelia configuration of De Dion setup with a transaxle. The early Berlina model used drums or disc brakes, while all others used discs.

The Pininfarina-styled Flaminia saloon made its debut in 1956 at the Turin Motor Show. Power was from the Aurelia's 60-degree, 2,458cc, overhead-valve, V6 engine. The short-wheelbase Coupé appeared in 1958, followed by the Touring-styled GT and GTL (2+2) Coupés and the Convertible. These body styles shared a shortened (to 251.5cm) wheelbase with the Sport and Supersport models, all with increased power and disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

GT Coupe by Touring
Chassis number: 824001383

This Lancia has coachwork by Touring. Touring of Milan produced three bodies: a two-seat convertible, a two-seat coupe, and a 2+2 coupe called the GTL. The GT came first and was the most popular, with production reaching 1,718 units.

The car is powered by an overhead-valve V6 of 2.8 liters producing 140 horsepower coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission and capable of a top speed of 120 mph.

The sales price was $6,485 in the United States in 1960.

Coupe
Chassis number: 824031353

This Zagato-bodied Lancia Flaminia Sport Coupe has the unique 'double bubble' Zagato trademark and features low overall lines and a rounded streamlined shape with convex head-clearance roof bugles above each front seat.

Introduced at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, the Flaminia had its Aurelia predecessor's mechanical layout. The traditional 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension was replaced with a more modern double wishbone setup. Power was from the 60-degree, 2458cc, overhead-valve V6 engine. The Zagato-bodied Sport and Super Sport models rested on a shortened wheelbase with the Touring-Styled GT/GTL Coueps and the Convertibles, and all featured disc brakes and increased power. In 1963, a 2775cc engine was introduced.

This example is one of just 205 Flaminia Sport models produced between 1959 and 1961. It has a left-hand drive configuration and is finished in blue with a matching interior. In 2002, it was treated to a restoration. It is currently fitted with a 2.8-liter engine but also retains its correct specification 2.5-liter powerplant, which was removed by the previous owner in order to enhance the car's performance.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Monaco. It had an estimated value of $180,000 - $250,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve, and it would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

GT Convertible by Touring
Chassis number: 824.04 1157
Engine number: 823.00 2895

Carrozzeria Touring built the aluminum-bodied two-door versions of the Flaminia, which features the unique four-round headlights (rather than the two found on the Pinin Farina-bodied examples). It rested on a shortened wheelbase, had a shorter cabin, and seating for two seats. In total, only 421 Flaminia Touring convertibles were built. This particular Touring-built Convertible has the Solex twin-choke carburetion fitted to the 2.5-liter, 119-horsepower V-6 engine. There are four-wheel disc brakes, and recently it was repainted in grigio, while the seats were refinished and the interior was re-carpeted. There is a silver-painted dashboard and a wood-rimmed steering wheel.

by Dan Vaughan

The Lancia Flaminia was produced from 1957 through 1970, with a total of 12,633 examples being produced. The vehicle was used as a replacement for the Aurelia and was offered in a variety of body styles, including sedan, limousine, cabriolet, and coupe. Coachbuilders, such as Pininfarina, Touring, and Zagato, were also given the opportunity to create custom examples for specific clients. All body styles were custom coach-built except for the sedan.

As the years progressed, so did the mechanical components. The V6 engine came in various sizes, and horsepower ranged from 100 to 152. They were mounted longitudinally and mated to a four-speed rear-mounted transaxle which sent power to the rear wheels. Drum brakes were standard, but disc brakes became standard after the first 500 examples. The suspension comprised double wishbones and coil springs with an anti-roll bar in the front. In the rear was a De Dion setup.

Though the vehicle was produced for a relatively long time, only a small number were produced. Being mostly coach built, these were very exclusive automobiles, with many having distinct features or characteristics, making them unique. Pininfarina produced the Coupe body styles. The front was almost identical to the Berlina but with rounded headlights angled upward. In total, 5236 coupes were created, with production lasting until 1967. Zagato produced the Sport two-seater body styles. The bodies were created from aluminum with the trademark Zagato 'double bubble' and pop-out handles. In 1964 the Sport was replaced by the Super Sport, which increased the horsepower to 152 through the upgraded 2.8L engine. The Sport was produced until 1967, with 344 examples created. There were 150 examples of the Super Sport.

Touring was responsible for creating the GT, GTL, and Convertible. The GT was a coupe body style. The convertible could be purchased with the optional hardtop. The GTL was introduced in 1962 and sat atop a slightly larger wheelbase. It came in a 2+2 configuration. The Touring examples were distinguished by their four-round headlights. The Convertible version was produced until 1964, with 847 examples produced. The GT and GTL were produced until 1965, with 1718 GTs and 300 GTLs constructed.

Pininfarina created four limousines of the Lancia Flaminia for royalty. Production took about six months and provided seating for seven. Officially, the name was 335 due to the 335 cm wheelbase. It was also called Presidenziale or Quirinale.

by Dan Vaughan